No Good Excuse — Sean Baumstark

It’s obvious that things don’t change simply because we turn the page on another calendar year. Typically, the early weeks of a new year set the stage for considering new goals, establishing new disciplines,…

I’ve often heard about the multiple stages of grief, especially when faced with the loss of my dad. I’ve wrestled with grief as I’ve come to terms with expectations for myself following my Friedreich’s ataxia…

I hear parents say it often: “I felt helpless.” Sometimes I’ll hear these words during an interview on the podcast I co-host, “Two Disabled Dudes,” while other times I’ll…

It’s almost unbelievable that we continue to be significantly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. In many ways, the effects of the pandemic are greater today than they were nine months…

I’m grateful to be alive in this day and age. Of course, I’m grateful to be alive at all, but there is something special about the tumultuous, stressful, and unique circumstances that humanity has been experiencing recently.

If there is one thing we all wish for, it is to have more time. Whether we wish for more time to work on an essay, prepare for an interview, be with a loved one, or as…

Many things in the news lately have me thinking about the many aspects of life in which the power to affect change is in numbers. The most obvious example currently is voter participation in…

I’ve had the privilege of making a lot of friends in the rare disease community since becoming a member myself. I’ve had many conversations about the day when someone knew something wasn’t right, and about the day…

I recently wrote about the importance of developing habits and disciplines that will help us move toward particular goals and objectives. Although that isn’t a new or jaw-dropping concept, actually taking action…

The year 2020 will mark stories of history for generations to come. This year continues to call attention to areas of opportunity, shortcomings, and perhaps failures across many areas of life — from global economic concerns to…

I’m confident we can all agree: We have no idea what tomorrow may hold. Whether we are talking about the stock market, our individual health, or simply the weather, many things can change drastically from…

An underlying principle keeps revealing itself to me through many different things. I’ve heard the principle said in multiple ways, namely phrases such as “stay the course,” “stay on mission,” and “remain focused.”  There are…

A year ago, I wrote about the yearly calendar’s halfway point being a great time to check in on my annual goals and the routines I employ to accomplish them. Although we…

I’m certain there are many things everyone can agree on: Planet Earth is round, what goes up must come down, and pineapple does not belong on pizza. You see, inarguable, right? Although many might agree,…

As I write this, I just received word that a friend and co-worker passed away in his sleep last night. Unbelievable shock consumed me for several moments. My friend was in his early 30s…

As the impact of COVID-19 continues to loom over the globe, our concerns and worries seem to increase as well. What started for many as an issue in some faraway region of…

There’s never a “good time” for the world to face a pandemic, or for a region or community to deal with such a significant threat to our health and lives. I suppose we can do or could…

I feel like I’ve recently made a huge decision. To some, my choice may be a no-brainer, but others may relate to the tug of war I’ve had with myself. Whether you can relate or not, if…

The podcast I co-host, “Two Disabled Dudes,” is celebrating a major milestone this week: We recently broadcast our 100th episode! It’s been a wild three years, and neither my co-host,…

If you follow me on social media, you probably saw this column coming. In fact, I feel like I can’t write about anything else this week other than my recent travel experience. To be fair,…